After visiting Nags Head, North Carolina, we pointed our compass south. Our first stop was Myrtle Beach, the “Golf Capital of the World“. Boasting 100 incredibly manicured golf courses, this is a golfer’s paradise. Our next stop was Charleston, the site where the civil war began.
Myrtle Beach
Entering the city limits of Myrtle Beach, we passed golf course after golf course. All perfectly manicured, I can see why this is called the “Golf Capital of the World”. Traveling with our dog, I was not able to bring my golf clubs on this trip but I would have loved to play one of these courses.
View the Myrtle Beach Slide Show
The beaches of Myrtle Beach are expansive but I still think the beaches in the Gulf of Mexico are nicer (with our sugar sand and emerald-green waters).
Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach
One of the cool things about Myrtle Beach is that they have a boardwalk, something I wish we had on Scenic 30-a. They also have plenty of things to keep you busy, like zip lining, ferris wheels, and arcades.
Zip lines in Myrtle Beach
Boardwalk of Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach Ferris Wheel
As usual, we sought out a craft brewery. We visited New South Brewery but we were not very impressed with their craft beers — too watery for our tastes.
New South Brewery
Charleston
Charleston is steeped in history as it was the main port for receiving slaves prior to the Civil War. Fittingly, this is also where the first shots of the Civil War were fired which lead to the end of a century of oppression. Evidence of the Civil War is everywhere.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is also a beautiful port city with century old mansions that take advantage of the seaside views.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Angel Oak
Near Charleston is an oak tree estimated to be about 1,400 years old, the oldest tree east of the Mississippi River. Angel Oak measures 66 feet tall and 28 feet in circumference. The tree is massive, it reminded me of some of the huge trees we saw in the California Redwood forest.
Angel Oak
Plantations of Charleston
Charleston has numerous plantations whose main crop was rice.
Drayton Hall
Drayton Hall was built by John Drayton in 1738 and has been preserved from that period. You won’t find many restorations (only those to keep it structurally sound) and you won’t find any furniture in the mansion. On our visit in late January, the house was cold and drafty.
Drayton Hall, Charleston SC
Drayton Hall from the Reflecting Pool
Inside Drayton Hall
Beautiful Grounds of Drayton Hall
Hampton Plantation
On our way to Charleston, we stumbled onto Hampton Plantation. This is not the most visited plantation but it looked very similar to how I visualized plantations to look in the early 1800’s.
Hampton Plantation
Charles Pinckney Farm
We also visited the Charles Pinckney farm. Charles Pinckney was the 37th governor of South Carolina and one of the architects and signers of the constitution. We were surprised to learn that South Carolina was the wealthiest state of the union at the time of the Civil War, more wealthy than Pennsylvania and New York.
Charles Pinckney Farm
Breweries of Charleston
Tradesman Brewing Company
We visited a couple of breweries while in Charleston. Our favorite was Tradesman Brewing Co. Located in a house that was converted to a brewery, it has a funky laid back vibe. The co-owner and wife of the brew master was serving up the beer and spent a lot of time with us bringing us up to speed on the local life of Charleston. She graciously suggested places to visit and talked about what it is like to live as a local in Charleston.
Tradesman Brewing Company
Tradesman Brewing Company
Bay Street Bier Garden
The Bay Street Bier Garden (yes, they spell it Bier instead of Beer) is a cool place to enjoy your favorite brew. It has community tables where you can purchase a card that allows you to pour as little or as much beer as you desire from the taps at the community table. Pretty cool concept.
Bay Street Bier Garden
Bay Street Bier Garden
Community Table Taps
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Love the Angel Oak photo!